Recently, Andrew Lee of CPA Review Materials interviewed me about my CPA exam experience. Read the article to find out how I overcame obstacles to success, the methods I used for retaining & recalling material, and where I found the determination to succeed. This article was first published on October 10, 2010 at
http://www.cpareviewmaterials.com/news/26/Interview-with-CPA-Exam-Success-Donna-Harding.html
Interview With CPA Exam Success Donna Harding
What made you want to become a CPA?
My accounting courses in college were taught by CPAs who highly recommended pursuing licensure. They often spoke of the difference it makes in accounting careers – I wanted the path that leads to a better earning potential and standard of living.
You passed the CPA exam on your first attempt, which is a rare feat. To what do you attribute your success?
Dedication and support. I set my goal to pass the first time, no matter what. I was going to finish the CPA exams ASAP because I’d seen the low pass rates and heard the stories about how the process could become drawn-out. Fear of spending months in “CPA study hell” boosted my resolve. I made all necessary sacrifices to study, prepare, and pass the exams on my first try. My family was a great source of support; my husband not only put up with my excessive grouchiness, but he pitched in at home and gave me the space and time I needed to focus on studying. He also has the best shoulder for leaning on.
What was the most difficult part of preparing for the CPA exam and what did you do to overcome it?
Making myself study was the most difficult part. There are so many distractions in life, all of which are more fun than studying. I found that tasks I previously avoided became more enjoyable than studying (who wouldn’t rather clean up after the dog?)! It takes a discipline to study rather than give in to distraction. I had a schedule to meet in order to be ready on exam day. My study calendar had very specific goals for each day and each week, with one “catch up & review” day per week, in case something came up. I stuck to that schedule as if it were life and death.
Many CPA candidates struggle with retaining the vast amount of information tested on the exam. They may learn a concept and understand it, but after continuing on to other sections and returning, they find some of the information is forgotten. Was this an issue for you, and if so, what did you do to combat it?
Yes, it was! Most of us never learned how to “study.” We might know how to get good grades, or how to pass a class, but these short-term abilities don’t often require long-term retention. The trick to retaining information long-term is cyclical review. I relied on and often recommend the Strategic Learning information provided by Dartmouth online at
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/videos/index.html.
What was the most effective form of studying for you (e.g. lectures, textbooks, flashcards, practice multiple choice questions, etc.)?
Honestly, I used all of it! Repetition, repetition, repetition. I viewed lectures with my textbooks and pre-printed flashcards open and ready; I made lecture notes and highlighted both textbooks and flashcards. This active form of learning required me to be alert and process information. I followed each lecture topic with multiple choice questions, repeating the series until I had 100% correct. I carried flashcards with me at all times and reviewed them at every opportunity. I also completed practice simulations and at least two complete practice exams for each exam section. Did I mention that repetition is key?
Any regrets about the long hours you put into it, now that you have passed?
That’s a tough one. If I eliminated one part of my study routine, I might not have passed on my first try, so I have no regrets in that respect. On the other hand, I missed several important things during my study sequestering and it took a toll on my personal life. After I passed my last exam, I focused on putting my life back into balance and I think everything worked out just fine.
